Metering and dispensing device



Jan. 22, 1957 A. L. APPEL METERING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 22,1954 '2 Sheets-Sheet l f//s HTToR/L/Ey/ Jan. 22, 1957 A. 1 APPELMETERING AND DISPENSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheff. 2

Filed Sept. 22, 1954 United States Patent METERING AND DISPENSING DEVICEAndrew L. ppel, St. Louis, Mo.

Application September 22, 1954, Serial No. 457,621

Claims. (Cl. 222-42) The present invention relates to a novel andimproved device designed to accurately measure and dispense granulatedmaterials that are normally enclosed in handy containers.

More specifically stated, the present invention relates to a novel andimproved device adapted for dispensing metered quantities of sugar,salt, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, and so on. Thus, the inventionis designed primarily, although not exclusively, for use in domestic andcommercial kitchens, in bakeries, and in restaurants.

With respect first to the culinary art, it has been necessary heretoforefor a cook to employ spoons, usually termed measuring spoons, in orderto obtain the requisite quantity of sugar, or salt, or baking powder andso on, to be added to the other ingredients prescribed in recipes forthe preparation of foods. As is well understood, the success or failureof a dish or a cake for example, is frequently dependent upon theaccuracy of the ingredients thereof, particularly those ingredients ofthe character enumerated above.

The primary object of my invention therefore is to provide a device,suitable for attachment to conventional containers, that incorporatesmeans adapted to facilitate the measuring and dispensing of specificquantities of granulated and powdered ingredients for the preparation ofcomestibles.

It is another object of the present invention to incorporate means inthe device whereby lling and refilling operations may be quicklyaccomplished without removing the device from the container whereon itis mounted.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a device that whennot in use, seals the contents of the container against atmosphere. Inother words, the instant invention includes means whereby granulated orpowdered contents of the container whereon it is mounted are preservedin a dry state, so that the uidity of them will not be impaired bymoisture.

The invention includes a circular closure or cover member that isthreaded internally, so that it may be removably secured in place on theupper externally threaded portion of a jar or container of well knownconfiguration. It is to be understood however, that in the absence of acomplemental threaded arrangement, the present device may be appliedfrictionally for example, to the open upper end of a suitable container.

As will be apparent from the description below and an inspection of thedrawings that illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention, allof the elements thereof are associated with and depend from the covermember aforesaid. That is to say, the device of the present inventioncomprises an organization of cooperative elements that in assembly isadapted to be removably positioned on the open upper end of a containeras a unit. After this unit has been positioned thereon, the containermay be filled via a short pipe that is normally closed at its upper endby means of a removable lid.

. dered material.

rice

Preferably, the type of container herein contemplated is of glass, sothat its contents are visible. In fact, the present device is primarily,though not necessarily, adapted for use with the well known type ofglass containers for sugar found extensively on cafe-teria and diningroom tables. Such containers visibly demonstrate when they requirerefilling, and as mentioned earlier, such operations do not requireremoval of the device for a relilling operation.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings is designedto accurately measure and dispense any selected one of six quantities ofgranulated or pow- In other words, a pinch, an eighthteaspoonful, aquarter-teaspoonful, a half-teaspoouful, a three quarter teaspoonful, ora teaspoonful of material may be selected by rotating a knob projectingabove the top of the cover member into a position wherein a pointer onthe knob will coincide with a specific marking on the cover member topsurface.

An opening is provided in the cover member whereby the meteredquantities of material may be discharged, said opening being normallyclosed by a pivotally mounted llap member that functions by gravity. Aninverted frusto-conical bowl or cup is disposed in the cover memberbelow the discharge opening, and as will appear, the metered quantitiesof material ow into said cup and thence through said opening when thecontainer is swung to discharge position. The control knob is rigidlyattached to the upper end of a rotatable shaft. Secured to and supportedon the lower end of said shaft is a drum provided with a circular seriesof compartments or cavities, each cavity being of a predetermined size.Rotation of the shaft by means of the control knob, effects the rotationof the drum whereby to bring one of the cavities into registration withthe lower end of a stationary tube. The upper end of said tube is rigidwith, and in fluid communication with, the frusto-conical cup aforesaid.The lower end surface of said tube is coplanar with vthe upper surfaceof the drum, and these surfaces are maintained in contiguous dispositionby means of a compression spring, as will appear.

In addition to the primary discharge opening, the cover member may alsohave formed therein a plurality of small apertures that are also incommunication with the charnber defined by the cup aforesaid in saidcover member. This series of apertures is formed in the top face of thecover member in an area diametrically opposite said primary opening, andconsequently metered quantities of material may be sprinkled onto meat,fish, vegetables, and

so on.

There are other objects and advantages provided by the present inventionover and above those already enumerated. These will be noted in thecourse of the detailed description of the invention :to follow withreference to the drawings, wherein Figure l is a top plan View of aconventional glass container equipped with a metering and dispensingdevice that incorporates the concepts of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken transversely of the covermember of the device on the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 are horizontal sectional views that are takentransversely of the container, and respec- -tively on the lines 5 5, 66, 7 7, and 8 8 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the device comprising theinvention, this view exhibiting said device as a 3 unitary assemblyadapted for mounting partlyatopand partly within a container; and

Figure l is a reduced scale view of a container gequipped'with thedevice of Figure 9, the4 containerbeing 'showninan exemplarydispositionof angularityrfordispensing a previously metered `quantityofrnaterial 'via the primary opening in the cover member.

With particular reference now to vFigures 2, 3,1'and'. 9, numeral l2designates generally an assembly oraunit that `incorporates all of theelements included in the device comprising the instant invention.

Broadly, these assembled elements consisto' a cover .member y14, acontrol shaft'16, a manually rotatable knob :18, an .invertedtruste-conical cup member 20, a feed -pipe 22, a guide ring 24, amaterialdeliverytube 26, a

4perforated disk ?2S,.an annularrubber gaskettl, and a 'meteringzdrum32.

The cover member 14 vincludes integrally ay at top v'wall 34, andV adepending -cylindrical iside `wall y36. Formedin' the'wall36, is anannularreces'sxor shoulder l38, Vandv-therebelow, said wall is :threadedinternally .as

at 40. Preferably, but not necessarily, the lower end of the wall 36terminates in a circular bead portion 42. The

mounted in an elongated slot 5t) provided in the top wall 34 adjacentthe opening 46, is a closure tiap 52 therefor. VThis tlap memberoperates automatically in response to gravity as should be manifest.

The ycontrol shaft 16 projects upwardly-throughI the opening 44 in thetop wall 34 of the cover member, and preferably has formed therein adepression 54, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. This depression serves as aguide for positioning and aixing the knob 18 by means of a set screw 56,so that the pointer segment 58 of said knob `may be properlydispositioned with respect to the metering drum 32, as is understood.lThe lower end of the shaft 16 is preferably splined, as indicated 'bythe numeral `60, and presstted into a complementarily contouredopeningr62 provided therefor in the drum 32. -In consequence of thisarrangement, the drum 32 is integrated Witl the control shaft 16 so asto be rotatable therew1t As demonstrated in Figures 2 and 3, the knob 18has formed therein an annular recess 64, and interposed labout a portionof the shaft 16 between the top wall 34 Vof the cover member and saidrecess is a compression spring 66 that constantly serves to bias saidshaft vand the drum aflixed thereto upwardly.

The frusto-conical cup member v20 terminates at its `ripper end in anoutstanding annular flange 68, and at its lower end in a dependingannular flange "70. Welded assuggested at 72 in Figures 2, 3, and 5, orvotherwise secured to the underside of the flange 68, is the guide lring24, and a rubber sleeve 74 that is seated in the depending ange 70 formsa seal about the shaft i6.

The feed pipe 22 extends through alignedopenings provided therefor inthecover top .wall 34 and thecup me'mber2tt. The upper projecting end "76of.said.,pipe isthreaded externally for engagement by a removable cap'78 as shown. lf desired, the threads maybe dispensed with, and anordinary cork or similar stopper may be-employed to seal the upper endofthe pipe. The lower end of pipe 22 is preferably welded to the-undersurface of the cup member 2@ as suggested at S0 inFigures 2 and 5.

. The delivery tube 26, illustrated as having a: generally triangularcross-sectional contour, is rigidly secured at its-*.upper-'end to-thecupmember yZit-by -weldingor' the. like as-suggested atlSZ' in lFigures.Z-'a'nd A5. -Nurneral ,ddindicates a. guider .bearingxxtensionionthelower portion of the control shaft, said bearing being rigid with thetube 26 as best seen in-Figure 2. The lower surface of said tube isdesignated by the numeral 86.

With particular reference to Figures 2, 3, and 6, it is seen that theentire area of the disk 28 inwardly of the rubber gasket 30 isfprovidedwith perforations 88, and further, that said disk has formed therein anopening 9G that correspondsin shape to that 'of lthe delivery tube 26.The `lower .end of .said ltube extends through the opening 9) and iswelded to the disk 28 about said opening as suggested at192 in FiguresZand 9. `=Ilhegasket St) is bonded to. the .upper ,surface thereof, andis of a slightly larger diameter than disk 28.

The metering drum 32 as hereinbefore noted, is suspended from the lowersplined extremity of the control shaft i6, the upper surface 94 of thedrum being coplanar with the `bottomasurface- 86of-thedelivery tube,.and beingimaintainedfin contiguous disposition-relatively thereto by.'means of Kthe compression spring-66.

With respect to the illustrated metering drum,N the kbody .thereof fha'sformed therein -`rsix-compart-ments or cavities, each sized to hold Vapredetermined volume'or quantity of granulatedz'or powdered material.`Thus, with particular referencev toiFigureZathe.. cavity 96 is'sizedtohold what is termed a pinchiof;materialglcavity198fbeingof greater depth.will containvthereinan. eighth-teaspoonful iof material; cavity tu@ aquarter teaspoonful; cavitystlZ a lhalf teaspoonful;V cavity itl-tathree-,quarter teaspoonfulg. and iinally cavity 106' is'ofsuch size asto hold a'teaspoonful of material. Numeral I108'rdesignates alandintermediate' the pinch l'cavity *196, and vthe teaspoonfulcavityle.

From the immediately foregoingzparagraph, it zshould be manifest that inconsequence ofeach-approximately 51 rotary movement ofthemetering Adrum32,-i'either the land 'lr03 or one of-.said cavitieswill bea'broughtinto registry with the lower extremity. of the deliveryl tube y26.

The'fbottom surface of the meteringdrum is designated by the numeral1110. vThis surface is arcuately contoured for a reasontof'appearhereinafter.

With-attention'directed nowftoFigure 1, it is'noted thatthetop wall'f-34of 4the-covermember S14 istmarked to exhibit indicia whereby to guidethe userinlthe lma- -nipulation of the control knobf`-18,ias.wil1ibemore corn- -prehensively explained below.

Revertinglnow totFigures `2 and 3, it isfobserved that an annulargasketvllZ is preferably interposedi in the assembly 12 between theflange 68 of the cupfmember k20,1and lthe shoulder .38 ofE th'e` covertmemberli. Preferably also, .an annulargasket `v114isvself-sustainedrabout the' guide ring V24 incontact lwith theunderside of `said ilange'68.

The described-and illustrated device 12 comprising'this invention, isadapted-forirnounting on-a-conventiona'l transparent container C,preferably of glass-as'. illustrated. The container C has -an4externallythreaded neckportion N the lower'endv ofwhich is deiine'd-bythe customary annular bead portion B. -Thustheidevice-lZ is'sirnplyscrewed onto'theneck portion'N,fwith theinternal thread 40 of-the covermember-/engaging-lthe external .thread offsaid neck portion, until; thetbeaded --p'ortions' "42and'fB are infcontact. .Thereuponfth'econtainer*is'illedxvia that overflows these cavities trickles into thespace S surrounding the drum 32, and in -order to obtain a substantialfilling of said space, the container C may be manually shaken slightly,as is understood.

USE

Although it is believed that the mode of Operation should be clear fromthe foregoing description and the drawings, a brief explanation will begiven, with Ordinary table salt serving as an exemplary material. Thus,assuming the container C to be filled, and assuming further that a cookdesires to add one eighth of a teaspoonful of salt to a stew forexample, the dial 18 is swung from the dotted line position to the fullline position thereof portrayed in Figure l. In consequence, the drum 32is rotated to bring the cavity 98 into registry with the lower end ofdelivery tube 26. The size -of cavity 98 is such that it will holdexactly one eighth of a teaspoonful of salt, no more, no less, providedthe upper level of the salt is flush with the upper surface 94 of thedrum 32.

It is a feature of the invention that the contiguous coplanardisposition of the lower surface 86 of the delivery tube relatively tothe upper surface 94 of the drum, insures such accuracy. In other words,as the cavity 98 passes into registry with the delivery tube, the lowerend of the tube scrapes E any salt that lies above the plane of thesurface 94, so that similar to passing a flat stick across a heapingspoonful of salt, a standard measurement is obtained.

Now as the container is tilted angularly into a position such as thatillustrated in Figure l0, the one eighth teaspoonful of salt slidesdownwardly along the inner surface of tube 26, and thence into the cupmember 20 to be discharged therefrom Via the primary opening 46, the ap52I having automatically swung to open position by gravity as thecontainer was being tilted.

Obviously, the other quantities of salt or the like that the illustratedembodiment of my invention is designed to dispense may be metered inlike manner, by simply turning the knob 18 until its segment 58 pointsto the proper marking on the top wall 34 of cover member 14.

Should it be desired to repeat the dispensing of a selected quantity ofmaterial, the knob 18 may be rotated to the right or to the left untilits pointer passes an adjacent marking, whereupon the knob is returnedto its former position, as should be clear.

Attention is directed to the apertures 48 located in an area of thecover top wall 34 that is diametrically opposite the closure flap 52.Should it be desired to sprinkle metered salt onto a porkchop, a steak,or a fish for example, it is merely requisite for the cook to grasp thecontainer in such wise before tilting it, that the sprinkling apertures4 will be lowerlnost in the dispensing operation, as should be manifest.

The rounded or arcuately formed bottom surface 110 of the metering drumfacilitates rotation thereof, inasmuch as it functions in the manner ofa bearing within that mass of salt therebelow.

The perforated disk 2d has a second function in addition to thatdescribed each time a dispensing operation takes place, with respect tothe salt that fills the cavities then not in registration with thedelivery tube, and the overow salt then in the space S. Thus, wheneverthe container C is tilted as demonstrated in Figure l0, this salt willflow angularly downwardly through the perforations S3 into that portionof the container above the disk 2S. Following the dispensing operationand subsequent erection and disposition of the container on a table orthe like, the salt trickles downwardly to again fill the cavities andoverflow into the space S.

In consequence of this arrangement, it should be apparent that theinvention incorporates novel means for maintaining the salt in uentcondition. It is to be understood of course as stated above, that salthas been selected exemplarily only as the medium considered best suitedto demonstrate the invention in use. Sugar and the other dry uidmaterials enumerated hereinbefore could also be metered and dispensed inthe manner set forth.

The invention is believed to provide a device particularly adaptable formounting on conventional sugar containers found on restaurant and diningroom tables throughout the land. These containers as is well known, areequipped with dispensing means, but insofar as I am aware, they do notembody any means whereby to regulate the amount of sugar to bedispensed. Consequently, a patron who desires, for example, twoteaspoonfuls of sugar in his coffee or in his tea and so on, must relyon his own judgment as the sugar flows from the container dischargespout into the spoon he suspends therebeneath. Usually the sugaroverflows the spoon, resulting in waste and tablecloth untidiness.

In an exemplary adaptation of the present invention to a sugar containerof this type, the perforations 48 in the top wall of the cover memberwould be omitted. Further, the metering drum 32 would be provided withbut three cavities, one having a teaspoonful capacity, another ahalf-teaspoonful capacity, and one cavity having a quarter teaspoonfulcapacity.

The immediately preceding explanation has been given by way of example,in order to demonstrate a non-illustrated modification contemplated bythe present invention without departing from the principles thereof.

Wherefore, it is to be understood that changes in the preciseillustrated form of the elements, or rearrangements of them in a mannerthat may be apparent to one skilled in this art, are contemplated to bewithin the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claimshereunto appended.

What I claim is:

1. In a device adapted for mounting on the open upper end of a containerof the type described: a cover member for the container; a pipe forfilling the container with granulated or powdered material; a removablecap for closing the upper end of the pipe; a frusto-conical cup memberinvertedly disposed and supported within the cover member in spacedrelation relatively to the top Wall of the cover member; a shaftrotatably supported centrally of the top Wall of the cover member andthe cup member; a knob affixed to the upper projecting end of said shaftto effect the rotation thereof; a metering drum affixed to the lower endof the shaft, said drum having formed therein a plurality of cavitieseach sized for the reception of a predetermined quantity of thematerial; a stationary tube opening at its upper end into said cupmember and having its lower end surface coplanar with and contiguouslydisposed to the upper surface of said metering drum for delivering tosaid cup member the contents of one of said cavities when the containeris tilted; and a primary discharge opening in the top wall `of the covermember for dispensing said contents automatically in consequence oftilting the container,

2. In a device adapted for mounting on the open upper end of a containerof the type described: the structure set forth in claim l, plus aperforated disk coplanar with but in spaced relation relatively to saidupper surface of the metering drum, said disk having a contral openingtherein to accommodate said shaft, and having an annular rubber gasketbonded to the upper surface thereof, the peripheral diameter of thegasket corresponding to the inner' peripheral diameter of the container.

3. In a device adapted for mounting on the open upper end of a containerof the type described: the structure set forth in claim l, plus aclosure liap for said primary discharge opening, said ap being pivotallymounted in an elongated slot provided therefor in said top wall of 7 thecover rmember, .and beingioperative by gravity ito automatically.Asealsaid, openinggwhen..the,container is not in use,!andtolautomaticallyruncover said openingy/hen the container ,is tilted. y

4. In a device adapted for mounting on the open upper endl of acontainerY of .thetype described: the structure set forth in claim l,and a series of smallA material sprinkling yapertures formed in the topwall ofthe cover member in-an areathereof .diametrically opposite saidprimary opening.

v v v5. Ina device adapted formounting on the open upper end of acontainer of the type described: the structure set forth in claim Land acompression spring interposed about a portion of said upper projectingend of the rotatablyrsupported shaft between thetop wall of the covermember and an annular recess formed in said knob, said spring serving toconstantly bias said shaft and the metering drum aixedtothe lower 'endthereof in an upward direction. '6. lira devicefor meteringl anddispensing granulated or powdered materials such as salt and the likecontained in `aicontainer of the type described: a rotatably supportedcontrol shaft; a knob aiixed tothe upper end thereof to manually rotatesaid shaft; a drum affixed to the lower end of the shaft and surroundedby the material in the containergva plurality` of circularly spacedcavities and a landformed in the drum, each cavity being sized tocontain therein a .predeterminate quantity ofthe material; a deliverytube adapted vtok register with `a selected drum cavity responsive torotation of said knob; and means for automatically dispensing thecontents of the selected cavity inconsequence of tilting the container.

7. In a device for metering and dispensing granulated or powderedmaterials such as salt and the like contained in a container of the typedescribed: a rotatably` supported control shaft; a knob aixed to theupper end thereof to manually rotatesaid shaft; a drum aixed to thelower end of the shaft and surrounded by the materiai in the container;a plurality of circularlyrspaced cavities and a land formed in the drum,each cavity being sized to contain therein a predeterminate quantity ofthe material; and means for automatically dispensing the contents of aselected one of said cavities in consequence of tilting the container,said means including a stationarydelivery tube that has itslower endsurface formed coplanar withthe top surface of said drum, and acompression spring that biases the drum in a direction adapted tomaintain a constant contiguous. disposition of vthe drum top surfacerelatively to the lower end surface aforesaid of the tube, the' selectedcavity having been'brought into registry with the'tube responsive to themanual rotation of said'knob prior to tilting the container.

8; In a device of the character and for the purpose described a meteringdrum rigidly secured lwithin a ,container to"the`lower .end of arotatablysuppor'ted shaft.l said drum having aplanarupper surface andanarcuate lower"surface, 'and being entirely surrounded by a. mass of'granulated or powdered material contained in saidcontainer;a pluralityof circularly spaced cavities formed in the drum and adapted to beautomatically filled with material from the mass of material surroundingsaid drum, eachgcavity between thetfirst andthe last being progressivelyof 'increased extent; a. land area provided onthe planar 4upper'surfaceofthe drum intermediatesaid firstv and' lastcavities; a stationarytubular element having its lower end surface contiguously dispo-sedrelatively to the aforesaid planarupper surface of the drum, said landarea being normally disposed beneath the lower end of said tubularelement; and a knob atlixed to the upper end of said shaft for manuallyrotating the drum whereby to bring aselectedone. of vsaid cavities tintoregistryviwith thelowerenda'foresaid of said tubular element.

9.' In a device of .theA character and Afor* thepurpose described: thestructure recited in claim 8, and compression spring means interposed-Iabout the upper end portion of said .shaft between a stationary partofzthe device and anlannularrecess provided in said knob for maintainingconstantthe contiguous disposition of the lower end Asurf-ace of saidtubular `element relatively to the coplanar upper surface of saidmetering drum.

l0. A sclf-ccntainedunitary device adapted for disposition atop ya,container of thetype described, said device including in assembly: acover member. having a flat top Wall yand .a depending cylindrical sidewallithat terminates in a bead portion; anan'nular recessed portionformed in said side wall; an internally Vthreaded portion formed in saidside wall belowthe. annularvrecessed portion; ashaft the Iupper end-ofwhich .projects above ,said top wall of the cover-member; a centralopening inthe top wall to accommodate passage therethrough of saidshaft; asprimary discharge opening-,formed inthe top ,wall ofthecover-member, .said opening lbeing normally sealed by a closure iiappivotally mounted in an elongated .slot provided therefor in saidtoprwall; a plurality of sprinkling apertures formed in an areav of saidtop wall diametrically opposite the primary opening; circularly spacedindicia marked on thevupper surface of said top wall; acontrolknobhaving a pointer segment rigidly aiXed tothe projecting upperend of said shaft; a compression spring interposed about said upper-endof the shaft between the covermember top wall and an annular recessformed in saidknob; a frusto-conical cup member terminating at its upperend in an outstanding annular flange and at its lower end in a dependingannular ange seated in the recess ofthe ycover member side wall with anannular gasket'interpo'sed between said recess andthe outstandingannular ilange aforesaid; a guide ring having a self-sustained annulargasket thereabout depending from and rigidlyl secured to the undersideof said annular flange; `a rubber sleeveseated in said depending annularflange of the cup member to form a seal about said shaft; a'pipeextending'through -alined openings in the top wall of the cover memberand the conical wall of the cup memberya closure'removably.secured tothe upper end of saidpipe; a metering drum having a planar upper and anarcuate lower surface rigidly attached to and suspendedfrom theY lowerend of: said shaft; a land area and a plurality of Ycircularly spacedcavities provided in the drum, each cavity being of a predeterminedsize; a stationarytubular element having a cross-sectional configurationladapted yto surround any one of said cavities in iluidcommunication atits upper end with said cup member, andhaving a lower Vend surfacecoplanar with and contiguously Idisposed relatively to the upper surfaceof the-metering drum; a bearing extension for the lower portion of saidshaft rigid with thev tubular element; aperforated'disk:in-spacedrelation relatively to the upper surfaceof'saidrdrum, said disk having a rst opening therein to accommodatesaidshaft, and a second opening to accommodate the lower end portion of thetubular element; -andan annular gasket having a peripheral diameterslightly ylarger than that of said disk bonded t0 the upperlsurfaceythereof.

. References Cited in vthe tile of thispatent UNITED STATESPATENTS1,332,476 Stough Mar. 2, 1920 2,302,186 Caretto Nov. 17, 1942 2,401,684.Cumilar lune 4, 1946 V2,515,735 ,Saunders July 18, 1950

